Inlet outer barrel segmented attach flange
An engine nacelle inlet is provided. The inlet comprises an inner barrel having a leading edge and a trailing edge. A segmented attach flange is connected to an outer circumference of the trailing edge of the inner barrel, wherein the segmented attach flange comprises a number of discrete attach flange fittings. An outer barrel having a leading edge and a trailing edge surrounds the inner barrel. A number of attachment brackets connect the outer barrel to the segmented attach flange. Each attachment bracket comprises two struts connected at a common point on the trailing edge of the outer barrel and connected at separate points on one of the attach flange fittings to form a truss. Each attachment bracket is connected to a separate respective attach flange fitting.
1. An engine nacelle inlet, comprising:
an inner barrel having a leading edge and a trailing edge;
a segmented attach flange connected to an outer circumference of the trailing edge of the inner barrel, wherein the segmented attach flange comprises a number of discrete attach flange fittings;
an outer barrel having a leading edge and a trailing edge, wherein the outer barrel surrounds the inner barrel; and
a number of attachment brackets connecting the outer barrel to the segmented attach flange, wherein each attachment bracket comprises two struts connected at a common point on the trailing edge of the outer barrel and connected at separate points on one of the attach flange fittings to form a truss, wherein each attachment bracket is connected to a separate respective attach flange fitting.
2. The engine nacelle inlet of claim 1 , wherein the attachment brackets collectively form an aft bulkhead of the engine nacelle inlet.
3. The engine nacelle inlet of claim 1 , wherein the attachment brackets are configured to buckle under FBO energy impact loading.
4. The engine nacelle inlet of claim 3 , wherein the attachment brackets are configured to produce a wave around the segmented attach flange in response to buckling under FBO energy impact loading.
5. The engine nacelle inlet of claim 1 , wherein attachment brackets are configured to maintain stiffness under aircraft flight loads.
6. The engine nacelle inlet of claim 1 , wherein the struts are connected to the attach flange fittings via lug attachments.
7. The engine nacelle inlet of claim 1 , wherein the struts are integrated with the attach flange fittings.
8. The engine nacelle inlet of claim 1 , wherein the attach flange fittings are made of:
aluminum;
3D printed aluminum; or
compression molded composite.
9. The engine nacelle inlet of claim 1 , wherein the struts are made of:
machined aluminum;
titanium; or
3D printed composite material.
10. An engine nacelle inlet aft bulkhead, comprising:
a segmented attach flange configured to connect to an outer circumference of a trailing edge of an inner barrel, wherein the segmented attach flange comprises a number of discrete attach flange fittings; and
a number of attachment brackets, wherein each attachment bracket comprises two struts configured to connect at a common point on a trailing edge of an outer barrel and connect at separate points on one of the attach flange fittings to form a truss, wherein each attachment bracket is connected to a separate respective attach flange fitting.
11. The engine nacelle inlet aft bulkhead of claim 10 , wherein the attachment brackets are configured to buckle under FBO energy impact loading.
12. The engine nacelle inlet aft bulkhead of claim 10 , wherein the attachment brackets are configured to produce a wave around the segmented attach flange in response to buckling under FBO energy impact loading.
13. The engine nacelle inlet aft bulkhead of claim 10 , wherein attachment brackets are configured to maintain stiffness under aircraft flight loads.
14. The engine nacelle inlet after bulkhead of claim 10 , wherein the attach flange fittings are made of:
aluminum;
3D printed aluminum; or
compression molded composite.
15. The engine nacelle inlet after bulkhead of claim 10 , wherein the struts are made of:
machined aluminum;
titanium; or
3D printed composite material.
16. An engine nacelle inlet attachment bracket, comprising:
a first strut;
a second strut; and
an attach flange fitting of a segmented attach flange, wherein the first strut and the second strut are configured to connect at a common point on a trailing edge of an outer barrel and connect at separate points on the attach flange fitting to form a truss.
17. The engine nacelle inlet attachment bracket of claim 16 , wherein the attachment bracket forms part of an aft bulkhead of an engine nacelle inlet.
18. The engine nacelle inlet attachment bracket of claim 16 , wherein the attachment bracket is configured to buckle under FBO energy impact loading.
19. The engine nacelle inlet attachment bracket of claim 16 , wherein the attachment bracket is configured to maintain stiffness under aircraft flight loads.
20. The engine nacelle inlet attachment bracket of claim 16 , wherein the struts are made of:
machined aluminum;
titanium; or
3D printed composite material.